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Enlightenment Journal | Fall 2011

R

ev. Ellen Grace O’Brian spoke with Dr. David Frawley during her Unity 

online radio program, The Yoga Hour, about Mantra Yoga. This conversa-

tion explores the role and power of mantra as a personal practice and 

within the greater tradition of Yoga. 

Rev. O’Brian:

 Mantra is defined as a sacred word or phrase having spiritual 

significance or power. Its Sanskrit root means, “that which saves the one who 

reflects” or “that which, when reflected upon, brings liberation.” Mantra lets us use 

the mind to take us beyond the mind. Swami Adiswarananda wrote, “Mantras are 

mystical formulas. Just like the equations and notations of chemistry and physics, 

they appear to be meaningless jargons to the unenlightened, but to those who know 

their significance, they are a means of releasing unthinkable power.” 
Dr. Frawley, what was your introduction to mantra and why has it interested 

you?

Dr. Frawley:

 It began with my study of poetry and symbolic language in my late 

teens. I came into contact with Yoga and the teachings of Yogananda and I began 

to work with various mantras in the Yoga tradition and experienced them as 

a level and power of language even deeper than poetry. After that I discovered 

the Vedic teachings, particularly the Rig Veda, which is the storehouse of all the 

ancient mantras. Over time I studied some of the other Raja Yoga and Tantra 

traditions and the use of Bija (seed) Mantras. I was able to work with many great 

teachers, largely in India, in the traditions of Sri Aurobindo, Ramana Maharshi, 

Advaita Vedanta, and a long-term study practice of Sanskrit and mantra. Mantra 

has been the most important part of my life and practices and is the underlying 

support of my other writings and teachings.

Rev. O’Brian:

 

Your recent book, Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound: Secrets of Seed 

(Bija) Mantras, provides insight into the power of mantra and its role in the 

Mantra Yoga:  

The Power of the Word

A Conversation with Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri)

“Mantra practice alone has the power to bring 
someone to Samadhi, to Superconsciousness.” 

—Paramahansa Yogananda